Since were on thR topic- how long should layoffs be after 6 to 12 weeks of intense training. Like omg I can't get out of bed training..

I took a week off last week (planned) after 11 weeks on straigt.. I felt n LOOKED great, better than any point during the training :/

Now I'm back at it and literally after two days of training feel like I've been hit by a bus, motivation is shot and I look swollen bloated n lost mostly all definition and muscle hardness. Also stomach is getting distention and bloat.. Like the second I stress my body, it does this.. The past two tikes ive taken lay off weeks, I've ended up looking and feeling amazing- makes me think I should stop all thr lifting and doing all the cardio or DRASTICALLY reduce.. Right now im at 4-5 days a week of lifting and 3-4 of cardio..

Since were on thR topic- how long should layoffs be after 6 to 12 weeks of intense training. Like omg I can't get out of bed training..

I took a week off last week (planned) after 11 weeks on straigt.. I felt n LOOKED great, better than any point during the training :/

Now I'm back at it and literally after two days of training feel like I've been hit by a bus, motivation is shot and I look swollen bloated n lost mostly all definition and muscle hardness. Also stomach is getting distention and bloat.. Like the second I stress my body, it does this.. The past two tikes ive taken lay off weeks, I've ended up looking and feeling amazing- makes me think I should stop all thr lifting and doing all the cardio or DRASTICALLY reduce.. Right now im at 4-5 days a week of lifting and 3-4 of cardio..

Wassup Cheda! After any cycle of hardcore ball to the wall training no matter if it's a 6 week, 8 week, especially a 12 week cycle you should take about 2 weeks off or at least 10 days for the gym junkies. During that time you would prolly want to reduce your macro intake and REST. Most people take time off from their training and never rest, they just don't come to the gym.

The reduced macros will help you maintain leanness and the rest will help your body and CNS recover from the beating. Most people don't ever feel exactly how bad their body is hurt or in pain. Especially of you don't have a clear mind to muscle/body connection. Happen to me during my last prep.

Lastly, muscle memory will allow you to come back and be able to still move some impressive wt and if you take you time working up, with a fully recovered body you have a better chance of breaking old PRs and achieving new found strength.

Thanks for the great response. Yea it was a 12 Weeker and I took about 6 days off .. Two of which I hit up an indoor Rock climbing gym with a buddy to try out.. I couldn't believe how sore it made me... Definitely wasn't total recovery during those 6 days as my job has me on my feet for 4-6 hours at a time.. Damn. I guess I blew it lol.. Next planned layoff isn't til July 30, but Im hoping to dial back the intensity and achieve results through better diet

Thanks for the great response. Yea it was a 12 Weeker and I took about 6 days off .. Two of which I hit up an indoor Rock climbing gym with a buddy to try out.. I couldn't believe how sore it made me... Definitely wasn't total recovery during those 6 days as my job has me on my feet for 4-6 hours at a time.. Damn. I guess I blew it lol.. Next planned layoff isn't til July 30, but Im hoping to dial back the intensity and achieve results through better diet

You got it brother!! What does you training split look like, if you dont mind me asking?

Heavy focus on rear delts and lats and strict diet.. Will be using an erase+anabeta, a diuretic, fat burners, a GDA.. Low cArbing.. Shredding up fast.

Solid!! I'm focusing on widen my V-taper as well. I've see great results when training a muscle heavy on Mon and then High Volume on thur. So i'm thinking about doing that for this short off season to develop a better and wider back. Might add some shoulder exercises in the focusing on the lateral head for increased width. And maybe hit rear delt hard on my chest day since front delts get work on that day anyways. Add the the 3d effect.

Gotta map it out and tweak it before i roll into it.

My homie bb12 is doing a low carb diet and he is also shredding up FAST. it's crazy how this stuff works sometimes.

Thanks fella's!
About those bench clips, I was just messin around in the gym and started feeling it! I notice i didn't get deep enough but this was my first time ever benching 495 and to be honest with you, its intimidating! After a few quick prayers and repeating Philippians 4:13 to myself i decided to go for 405, 435, 455, and 495. Next time i'll go for a good clean deep 500

I was near the end of my workout and i decided to shoot for a new bench PR. Not the brightest idea but interesting.

Thanks fella's!
About those bench clips, I was just messin around in the gym and started feeling it! I notice i didn't get deep enough but this was my first time ever benching 495 and to be honest with you, its intimidating! After a few quick prayers and repeating Philippians 4:13 to myself i decided to go for 405, 435, 455, and 495. Next time i'll go for a good clean deep 500

I was near the end of my workout and i decided to shoot for a new bench PR. Not the brightest idea but interesting.